ANALYSES OF THE OAT. 91 



or, the number of Ions of the herbage of indian corn exceeds that of wheat. From this 

 circumstance, alone, it is evident that it must take a greater amount yearly from the soil. 



Wheat contains a larger amount of silica in its straw, than either of the other cereals. 

 Barley is allied more intimately to lime plants, than wheat or oats. 



It will be observed that more attention has been given to the composition of the ash of 

 the cereals, than to their proximate elements, as gluten, albumen, casein, etc. It is true 

 that the latter are important matters to be considered and determined : they, however, 

 may be placed under the head of varieties, where it becomes necessary to compare two or 

 more in order to determine their relative powers to supply nutriment. The analysis of the 

 ash informs us more particularly of the effects of crops on soils, and lays the foundation for 

 a natural system of culture. It does more than this ; for we also learn from analysis the 

 proportions of the phosphates and alkalies, which are of tliemselves so essential to the con- 

 stitution of nutritious matters. 



I. OATS. 



The oats which have been subjected to analysis, were grown in four of the agricultural 

 districts : the Southern, or Fifth ; the Wheat, or Fourth ; the Hudson-river, or the Third, 

 and the Eastern, or Second, which is based upon the taconic slates. 



From the Southern district I received specimens of oats from Mr. Randall of Cortland- 

 ville, and from Mr. N. Salisbury of Scott, Cortland county. These oats grew upon the 

 slates of the upper part of the Hamilton or Lower Chemung group. For an analysis of 

 the soil, see p. 341, Vol. I. 



1. Mr. Randall's oats, straw and chaff. 



FBOFORTIOIfg. 



Grain 491-270 grs. 



Straw 438-500 



Chaff 92-220 



Ash of the grain 10-400 grs. 



Ash of the straw 21-120 



Ash of the chaff - 3-666 



Per centnm. 



Water of the sun-dried grain - - - 10-820 



Water of the husk 13-280 



Water of the straw, undetermined. 



